Sure, money talks. But on this blog, it also gabs.

Tag Archives: Debt

Something miraculous happened today. It’s not epic, like a baby being born or a horrific train derailment that everyone walks away from.

Nope. It’s a tiny miracle. But it’s all mine.

I paid off my car loan.

I began this year with two financial goals. Pay off my student loan (check), and pay off my car loan (just checked). It’s only April.

This. Is. A. Miracle.

And so, it’s time for me to shutter this shop. Writing Cashgab was an incredible journey for me. It was my catalyst for real change. I recently found an email that I sent to Money Mentors (highly recommended, btw) in 2009. It wasn’t until I started writing this blog in early 2012 that my financial life started to blossom. I learned so much about personal finance, such as how to manage a credit card like a Big Girl and the importance of planned spending savings. I also know that I inspired other people to get their financial houses in order. I know this because they wrote me emails, shared comments on my posts, and told me in whispered tones over coffee.

I can’t say that I will never get in financial dire straights again. But I can say that I know how to get out of it if I do: start talking.

It’s that simple. Tell people. Ask for help. Talk about what you’re doing to change. Make yourself accountable.

So many of our money issues are rooted in shame. If you talk about something, you take the stigma away. Ditch your shame.

Gab.

~HS

PS For my beloved regular readers, you are few but you are mighty. Please read my new blog of dispatches from the ‘burbs: Setka in the Suburbs. Money talk will be at a minimum. XO

I have $107 left on what was once a $19,000 student loan. I’d planned to pay it off today, but for some reason…I…am…stalling…

What’s going on here? I figure one of two possibilities is at play.

1) I have Stockholm Syndrome. Perhaps after 13 years of being held hostage by my student loan, I identify more with its hold over me than I do with the freedom I’d have without it. I can honestly say that I NEVER thought I’d pay this bad boy off. I thought we’d be together forever. If I even tried to imagine this very day (TODAY!) when I finally paid the last cent back, I’d force the thought far from my mind. I sincerely believed it wasn’t possible, so why even bother fantasizing about it, right? Because I existed so long in this sorry state (I mean, c’mon 13 YEARS!!!), it’s possible I’m in complete denial that this day has finally and truly come. Or…

2) I’m savouring the moment. Here it is. This Moment. This amazing, glorious moment when I finally no longer owe anyone or anything for my education. It’s my education now. I own it outright. This shinning, bright, sunny-day moment when I have the degrees without the debt is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. This light, airy moment is my own financial TSN Turning Point; it’s the moment when I can stop looking back at the financial mistakes I’ve made and start looking towards the future at my financial progress and prosperity. This moment might be one of the best in my adult life.